Simulated baseball playing machine



Nov. 16, 1948. w, JOHNSON 2,454,065

SIMULATED BASEBALL PLAY ING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1945 s Sh eets-Sheet 1 l" I 4' 1 mg i I A3? Y Inventor I T 75 L' 76 80 79 75 9 77 By QM WW m Nov. 16, 1948. w, JOHNSON 2,454,065

SIMULATED BASEBALL PLAYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1945 3 She'ets-Sheet 2 J -lu 4 50 2/ 5 3.9 I

v.5 w 1| W H" "1+? a l l I g Y 36 I III]. Ii

Inventor NOV. 16, 1948. w, A. JQHNSQN 5 2,454,065 SIMULATED BASEBALL PLAYING :MACHIILIE Filed Dec. '7, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet s Inventor Patented Nov. 16, 1948 I TED s TATES T F FICE SIMULATED BASEBALL PLAYING MACHINE Wesley A. Johnson, Augusta, Ga.

Application December 7, 1945, Serial No. 633,429

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a baseball playing machine, and more particularly to an amusement device adapted to simulate the playing of the game of baseball.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improveddevice including a playing surface over which metal balls are adapted to be impelled by a spring impeller to fall in selected apertures, producing a result in simulation of the result of a hit in playing the game of baseball.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein various types of hits, such as a single, a doubleha triple, or a home run may be readily simulated.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device characterized by means whereb-ythe relative advance of players on bases as a result of hits may be simulated.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as Will-be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of device embodying features ofthe instant inven-- tion.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 2-'2 of Figure 4 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan View, certain portions thereof being broken away.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along-the line 4-4 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction'indicated-by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure-6 is a fragmentary sectional. view taken substantially along the line l6'6 of Figure '1, as viewed in the direction indicatedby thearrows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view portions thereof being broken away, taken substantially along the line l'l of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary. cut away plan view disclosing details of the operating-mechanism.

Figure. 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail view.

disclosing a further constructional detail.

:Figure 10 isa sectional vieW taken substantially along'the line I9.l$3 of Figure 8 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

.Figure llisa view -.similarto Figure 10, but

showing certain of the parts in different posltions of adjustment.

Figure :12 is a fragmentary detail plan view showing still further portions of the operating mechanism.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings, and more particularly to "Figure 1, there is generally indicated at 20 a box-like frame or housing, one section of which isprovided with a diamond -2l in simulation of the infield of a-baseball diamond, and provided with indications 2 2, 23, 24 and 25 simulating first, second and third bases, and home plate. A rotatable ring.25, adapted to be rotated in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter is positioned about the periphery of the diamond '2 I, and is adapted to be rotated to indicate the position of menpn the field ,in accordance with simulatedhits. The outer portion of the fieldbeyond the simulated diamond 2! includes -a plate 30, which is angled transversely of the boardas indicated in Figurefi toward a corner "3| thereof, and correspondingly angled as best shown in Figure 6 longitudinally of the board toward the same corner. As best shown in Figure 3, the corner 3| beneath the surface formedby-the diamond "2| is provided with an outlet channel 32, which leads to a point adjacent coin operated mechanism 33, to be more fully described hereinafter. 30 of the board is provided with a plurality of apertures, in the illustrative examplehere given,

six. Two of these apertures 3A and'35 overlie a channel 35, as best shown in Figure 2 andFi u 6,-while another aperture :31 overlies a channel 38, a fourth aperture 39 overlies a channel Ml, while the fifth and sixth apertures ill and 42 overlie a channel 43.

Referring back now to the rotating ring '25 it will'be seen that the same comprises a portion of a Wheel*50, as best shown in Figures 4 and 7, mounted forrotation on anaxle 5|, ,a suitable ballbearing mounting 52 being provided. Depending from the underside of the wheel at spaced points, corresponding to the relativeposition of first, second, third base, and home Pl te are rods53. The axlej5l is suitably secured in a supporting frame comprised of uprights j l se within which'the lowerextremitypf theaxleii is secured.

- The rods 53 depend downwardly through a slot The playing surface 51 positioned along the center of a trough or channel 58 in the form of a helix positioned directly beneath the rotatable member 25. The helix 58 is of a diameter substantially equal to that of the wheel 50 whereby the depending rods 53 may rotate freely within the groove 51, it being noted that the ends of the groove are open in such manner as to permit the free passage of rod 53 therein.

The lower e nfdiof thej'helicalch'annel' or chute 58 overlies an inclined channel 59,- which communicates with an outlet in the base of the frame 20 exterior of which is positioned a trough 60.

Referring back now to the troughs or channels 36, 38, 40 and 43, it will be seen that each is curved, and that each intersects thehelical channel at a different point aboutits periphery as,

shown in Figure 2, and at a different point in the height thereof, as best shown in Figure ,4. The purpose of this arrangement will be more fully idiscussedhereinafter. v

Referring back now to the trough 32, and the coin controlled mechanism 33, it will be seen that oneside of the trough 32 extends to a point opDosite portion 85, directly in front of acoin controlled plunger S6,which plunger engages an arm 61- pivotally mounted inthe casing as on a pivot 68, the lower portion of which arm has secured thereto a membernSB corresponding in configuration to the opposite side of the portion 65, it being noted that the side of thetrough 32 opposite: 65 is suitably cut away. fA spring secures the upper end of the arm 61 -to the inner side of the front wall of the casing 20, and a coin box H is positioned directly beneath the coin operated slide. a

- A plurality, illustratively three, of spherical balls 8| are adapted to seat within the trough formed by the portion 69 and the portion 65-, and when the coin operated plunger 65 is pressed inwardly to the position shown in Figure 11,pivoting the section 69 away from the section65, the balls are adapted to drop out of this portion of the trough, into a chute l2, and then pass through an aperture in the front wall of the casing into an exteriorly positioned receptacle 13, to-be available for usein a manner to be more fullydescribed hereinafter. f

As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, a channel 15 extends along one side of the diamond playing field 2|, and has positioned at one end thereof a plunger 16 provided with a handle 11 and a striking head 18, a spring 19 being positioned between the head 18 and a bushing 88 within which the plunger is slidable. It will thus be seen that when the handle 1'! is withdrawn and released, the

spring 19 will bias the plunger head18 outwardly,v

to impact a ball 8| and force the same outwardly through channel 15 onto the playing surface 38.,

From the foregoing the operation of the 4 device should now be readily understandable. .When the device is ready for play threeballs 8| of steelor any other desired material, are containedin the receptacle formed of the members 59 and 65. The 65 the coin controlled plunger 66 causes pivotal insertion of. a coin and the pressing inwardly of movement of the arm 6! which permits the balls 8| to fall into the trough 12 and thence into" the receptacle 13. A ball is selected from the recepta cle l3 and placed in front of the plunger 18, whereupon the handle 1! is drawnbackwardly against the bias of the spring 19 and released to impel the ballonto the playing surface 30. The ball in rolling over'the inclined surface may land in anyone orthe apertures 34, 35, 31,39, 4|, or 42.

Cir

In the event that the ball lands in either aperture 4| r 42, it falls into the channel 43 and rolls downwardly therealon to the end of channel 43 to a point where it meets the channel 58, whereupon the ball falls into the channel 58 and striking one of the arms 53, which depends through the groove 51, moves the same and causes rotation of the plate 50. Due to the fact that the channel 43 is positioned toward the base of the helical groove 58, the'impact of a ballat this point causes only quarter rotation of the plate, 'since after a quarter rotation the member 53 impacted by the ball is rotated past the end of the groove, and the ball falls into the trough or channel 59 and thence outwardly into the exterior receptacle 68. In the event that the ball falls into the aperture 39 it travels along the channel 40, which terminates at a point substantially halfway up the helical channel 58, and falling behind one of the members 53 causes the same to be rotated substantially half the distance of the helix, thusrotating the plate 25a distance equivalent to half its complete cycle of rotation, or corresponding to a twobase hit,

Again, should the ball land in the aperture 31,

and roll along the channel 38, a three-quarter revolution of the plateis effected corresponding to a three-base hit, while in the event that the ball lands in either aperture 34 or 35 and falls through the channel 35 to the uppermostportion of the helix, a complete rotation of the plate cor;

responding to a home run is'effected.

In the event that the ball-fails to strike in a;

of the above mentioned apertures, it falls to the lowermost corner 3| of the playing board, and

thence through channel 32 back into thespace between the members and 69, where it remains inaccessible until such time as the coin actuated mechanism is operatedagain to permit same to roll into receptacle 12. Obviously, a ball in such .position corresponds 'to an out. Thus it willtbe'seen that with the three balls originally,

may thus be kept. When three outs have been, vmade it will be apparent; that all the balls are inaccessible until the coin actuated mechanismis;

operated again foranother half inning. v

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is herein provided an improved amusement device accomplishing all the objects ofthis invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made, of this inventive concept, and as many modifications.

may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a simulated baseball machine including an inclined playing board, apertures in one por- .tionof the machine to'receive a projectile, a diamond secured to another-portion ofsaid machine, indicia to indicate the relative advance of base runners; the improvement which consists of a stationary elongated trough forming a closed curved inclined path, means at a plurality of levels along said trough to admit a projectile --thereto,' saidmeanshcommunicating with "said apertures, a rotatable table containing said indicia positioned above said trough, a slot in said trough, and means depending from the table through said slot to rotate said table a predetermined distance.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means includes rods depending from said table and through said slot whereby the table is rotated a predetermined distance when urged by a missile striking said rods.

3. In a simulated baseball machine including an inclined playing surface, apertures in one portion of the machine to receive a ball, a diamond secured to another portion of said machine, indicia to show the relative advance of base runners; the improvement which consists of a stationary helical trough channeled along its length, means communicating with said apertures to permit a ball to enter at predetermined points along the channel, a rotatable table containing said indicia positioned above said trough, said table being of a diameter equal to that of the helical trough, a slot in said trough, rods depending from said turntable and extending through said slot whereby the table is rotated a predetermined distance when urged by a ball striking said rods.

4. In a simulated baseball machine including a playing surface having a plurality of apertures for receiving projectiles moving over said surface, a projectile operating indicating device and a plurality of conduits each communicating with one of said apertures for delivering projectiles from said playing surface to said indicating device; said indicating device comprising a stationary inclined trough for receiving and lowering projectiles and having a discharge portion, said conduits having exits for discharging projectiles upon said trough at a plurality of levels, a rotatable table and impact members carried by said table and extending through said trough into the path of movement of projectiles descending said trough, said table being rotatable a distance proportional to the elevation of said conduit exits above said discharge portion.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said trough has a bottom wall with a slot therein, said rods extending through and being movable in said slot.

5 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said table is positioned above said trough.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said table is positioned above said trough.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein said trough is of spiral shape and said conduit exits are positioned at intervals about the periphery of the trough.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said trough has a bottom wall with a slot therein,

said rods extending through and being movable in said slot.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said table is positioned above said trough.

WESLEY A. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 749,872 Mather Jan. 19, 1904 824,879 Miller July 3, 1906 1,031,395 Sutton July 2, 1912 1,329,235 Figenshu Jan. 27, 1920 1,601,849 Chester Oct. 5, 1926 1,831,581 Stewart Nov. 10, 1931 1,973,814 Kirk Sept. 18, 1934 2,024,835 Rockola Dec. 17, 1935 2,054,616 Durant Sept. 15, 1936 2,083,463 May June 8, 1937' 2,173,611 Nicolaus Sept. 19, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 40 Number Country Date 426,551 Great Britain Apr. 5, 1935 773,371 France Sept. 3, 1934 

